Abstract: Apparatus for borehole cleaning, comprises: a tubular conveyance for extending from the surface into a borehole to a region to be cleaned; a motor mounted at the end of the tubular conveyance that in use is introduced into the borehole; a pump connected to the motor and having a nozzle; a power cable extending trough the tubular conveyance from the surface to provide power to the motor; the pump being arranged such that, when positioned in the borehole and operated by the motor, the pump withdraws material from the borehole through the nozzle and pumps it into the tubular conveyance to the surface.

Abstract: A rod actuated downhole well pumping system is provided with spaced apart annular elastomer members secured to the pump rod at predetermined intervals to prevent solids particulates entrained in the pumped fluid from settling down to and clogging the pump mechanism during periods of pumping activity. The elastomer members are provided with longitudinal slits so that they may be sleeved over a pump rod without disconnecting the rod from the pump assembly in retrofitted installations. The elastomer members are preferably secured to the pump rod with a suitable adhesive and are of a diameter at least slightly less than the inner diameter of the tubing through which fluid is being pumped.

Abstract: An enclosed circulation tool for a well including a tubular body having a top end, a bottom end and an interior cavity. A progressive cavity pump positioned at the bottom end of the body, the pump having a rotor mounted within a stator. The rotor has an upper end and a lower end, with the upper end extending into the interior cavity. A drive is coupled to and adapted to rotate the rotor in order to draw sand into the interior cavity. A first fluid passage is provided along which fluids from pumped from surface pass to fluidize solids within the interior cavity. A second fluid passage is provided along which fluidized solids from within the interior cavity pass to surface.

Abstract: A debris evacuation apparatus and method evacuates debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus has at least one seal and one groove located south of the seal, with the seal blocking northward travel of debris and directing it to the groove. Ports within the groove permit debris to enter the debris evacuation apparatus. Interior to the debris evacuation apparatus, the entering debris will become mixed with pumped fluid, and will be drawn out of the pumping system with the pumped fluid. The pumped fluid passing through the debris evacuation apparatus will be caused to rotate by an interior section located at a south portion of the debris evacuation apparatus, utilizing a plurality of angled veins surrounding a closed center section located at a north end of the interior section.

Abstract: A seal section for a downhole pumping system includes a fluid exchange pathway and a rotatable gravity separator. The rotatable gravity separator preferably includes a chamber, a backwash inlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway and a backwash outlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway. The rotatable gravity separator further includes a weight that causes the rotatable gravity separator to remain in a substantially constant orientation with respect to the force of gravity.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump has one or more components coated with a biocide-incorporated coating for the purpose of controlling the activity of bacteria. The portions exposed to well fluid are coated for inhibiting bacteria from growing. Both centrifugal and progressing cavity pumps are applicable.

Abstract: In the well assembly of the invention, a downhole pump assembly has an intake and a discharge outlet. A capsule enclosing the pump assembly selectively isolates the pump assembly from well fluid by way of a flow control device. A conduit having open upper and lower ends extends sealingly through the capsule for accessing a portion of the well below the capsule. The invention also includes a method of pumping fluid from a well wherein a pump assembly enclosed in a capsule is protected from pressure. In this method, the pump is shut off and well fluid is blocked from the interior of the capsule. Pressure is then applied to the well fluid surrounding the capsule, the capsule isolating the pump assembly from the pressure.

Abstract: System for producing de-watered oil from an underground formation to the surface, which system comprises a reception well having a substantially horizontal or inclined section for primary oil/water separation of the well fluid; a water discharge system having an upstream end that is capable of receiving during normal operation liquid from the lower region of the downstream part of the reception well; and a secondary underground oil/water separator having an upstream end that is capable of receiving during normal operation liquid from the upper region of the downstream part of the reception well, the secondary separator having an outlet for de-watered oil that is in fluid communication with the inlet of a production well and an outlet for a water-enriched component that is in fluid communication with the water discharge system.

Abstract: A debris evacuation apparatus and method evacuates debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus has at least one seal and one groove located south of the seal, with the seal blocking northward travel of debris and directing it to the groove. Ports within the groove permit debris to enter the debris evacuation apparatus. Interior to the debris evacuation apparatus, the entering debris will become mixed with pumped fluid, and will be drawn out of the pumping system with the pumped fluid. The pumped fluid passing through the debris evacuation apparatus will be caused to rotate by a screw-in insert located at a south portion of the debris evacuation apparatus, utilizing a plurality of angled veins surrounding a closed center section located at a north end of the screw-in insert.

Abstract: A swabbing tool for wells that filters particulates from fluids passing through the swabbing tool. The swabbing tool comprises a mandrel, at least one swab cup on the mandrel, the mandrel and swab cup being arranged to allow fluids to pass from below to above the swab cup; and a sifter attached to the swabbing tool below the swab cup for filtering particulates from fluid passing from below to above the swab cup. The sifter is barrel shaped and is provided with a sealing element attached to the sifter to force fluid into the sifter. The sifter has an interior and the sealing element is dimensioned to seal against a casing or tubing wall and force fluid into the sifter. The openings in the sand sifting element may be slots, with a size between 0.125 mm to 0.635 mm.

Abstract: A tool for removing solid particles from a well after sand fracturing, drilling, etc. The tool includes a flapper valve assembly above a drill bit, a sand screen, and a screw pump. Fluid in the well, with the solid particles therein, is pumped into the tool by rotating the screw pump, wherein the fluid moves past the bit, across the flapper valve assembly, and through the sand screen. The solid particles stay in a cavity above the flapper valve, but the fluid moves further along the screw pump and is returned along the outside of the tool to the bit, to start the cycle over again. Over time, the cavity fills with solid particles, and the device is raised to the surface, where the accumulated solid particles are dumped. The device can be re-introduced into the well to remove more solid particles, if necessary.

Abstract: A system for removing solid particulates from a production fluid. The system includes a solid separator to remove the solid particulates from the production fluid to reduce pump component wear. The system is disposed in a wellbore such that wellbore fluids are drawn into the solids separator before entering the submersible pump. Solid particulates are separated from the fluid that flows through the solids separator before entering the submersible pump. The solid particulates are routed past the submersible pump. The solid particulates may be reinjected into the fluid discharged from the pump.

Abstract: A sand and particle separator for fluids is configured to optimize the particulate removal and minimize the diameter of the system. An auger is located at the lower end of the separation chamber and is driven by a drive shaft. The drive shaft may extend through the separation chamber and to drive a pump located above the separation chamber. The separator may have other types of devices, such as shaped orifices, to create centrifugal force in the fluid. To increase the speed of the fluid within the separator, accelerators, such as a conical entrance to the chamber, may be added to the system to create a venturi effect on the fluid entering the separation chamber. A reflector may be attached around the drive shaft to reflect the cleaned fluid upward toward the pump.

Abstract: A particle separator for a fluid pump has a cylindrical body which is attachable to a pump by a flexible sleeve and has tangential slots directing intake fluid in swirling manner about an inlet tube within the cylindrical body. The inlet has an enlarged outer diameter at its lower end which causes the swirling inlet fluid to accelerate—thus aiding in particle separation.

Abstract: A tool for removing solid particles from a well after sand fracturing, drilling, etc. The tool includes a flapper valve assembly above a drill bit, a sand screen, and a screw pump. Fluid in the well, with the solid particles therein, is pumped into the tool by rotating the screw pump, wherein the fluid moves past the bit, across the flapper valve assembly, and through the sand screen. The solid particles stay in a cavity above the flapper valve, but the fluid moves further along the screw pump and is returned along the outside of the tool to the bit, to start the cycle over again. Over time, the cavity fills with solid particles, and the device is raised to the surface, where the accumulated solid particles are dumped. The device can be re-introduced into the well to remove more solid particles, if necessary.

Abstract: A method and system for downhole treatment and pumping of well fluids enhances the pumping of viscous fluids to the surface. The first step is to separate the oil and water from the well fluid and then channel the oil to a chamber that encloses the motor. The heat from the motor will increase the heat of the crude oil flowing past the motor, thereby lowering the viscosity of the crude oil. The water flows separately past the motor in another passageway, and remixes with the oil. After the oil and water recombine, the treated well fluid has a lower viscosity, and the fluid is then pumped to the surface more efficiently than without treating the oil.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pump protection system are disclosed which may be used to enclose, protect, and improve the efficiency of a submersible pump. The pump protection system of the instant invention prevents unwanted materials from clogging the pump intake port and from entering the pump intake port to damage the internal parts of the pump. The pump protection system may be back flushed to clean the pump protection system without damaging the pump. The pump protection system also prevents entrained gasses from entering the pump. A pressure relief valve is also disclosed which provides back pressure on the pump at pump startup.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pump protection system are disclosed which may be used to enclose, protect, and improve the efficiency of a submersible pump. The pump protection system of the instant invention prevents unwanted materials from clogging the pump intake port and from entering the pump intake port to damage the internal parts of the pump. The pump protection system may be back flushed to clean the pump protection system without damaging the pump. The pump protection system also prevents entrained gasses from entering the pump. A pressure relief valve is also disclosed which provides back pressure on the pump and, thus, greatly reduces upthrust damage at pump startup.

Abstract: A system for removing solid particulates from a production fluid. The system includes a solid separator to remove the solid particulates from the production fluid to reduce pump component wear. The system is disposed in a wellbore such that wellbore fluids are drawn into the solids separator before entering the submersible pump. Solid particulates are separated from the fluid that flows through the solids separator before entering the submersible pump. The solid particulates are routed past the submersible pump. The solid particulates may be reinjected into the fluid discharged from the pump.

Abstract: A system for removing solid particulates from a production fluid. The system includes a solid separator to remove the solid particulates from the production fluid to reduce pump component wear. The system is disposed in a wellbore such that wellbore fluids are drawn into the solids separator before entering the submersible pump. Solid particulates are separated from the fluid that flows through the solids separator before entering the submersible pump. The solid particulates are routed past the submersible pump. The solid particulates may be reinjected into the fluid discharged from the pump.

Abstract: A system for separating particulates from a liquid prior to pumping of the liquid. The system is amenable to use, for example, in a wellbore environment for separating sand or other particulate matter from a production fluid. The system uses a sand separator, a submersible pump and a mechanism for reinjecting the particulate matter downstream of the pump discharge. This permits the sand and other particulates to be routed around the pump to reduce the potentially detrimental effects of such particulate matter on certain pumps.

Abstract: A method of retarding sand build up in heavy oil wells involving a first step of providing a pumping apparatus with subterranean impellers coupled to a rotary top drive unit by a plurality of connective rods. The plurality of connective rods have fixed outwardly extending vanes that rotate with the plurality of connective rods and are configured to provide a supplementary lifting force. A second step involves positioning the plurality of connective rods in a heavy oil well having a circumferential sidewall. A third step involves activating the rotary drive unit to rotate the plurality of connective rods. The vanes attached to the connective rods assist in lifting sand to surface with the heavy oil.

Abstract: A method and device for separating a fluid from a formation into several fluid components in a well is disclosed. The method and device include feeding the fluid into a mainly horizontal section of pipe located in a down-hole, mainly horizontal section of the well, such that the fluid is set to flow at a speed through a length of the mainly horizontal section of pipe such that the fluid components are separated and a boundary layer is formed between the fluid components. The fluid components with a lower density are formed in a top part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe and fluid components with a higher density are formed in a bottom part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe. The fluid components with the lower density and the fluid components with the higher density are removed through separate outlets of the mainly horizontal section of pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sand, which has been separated from well fluids, from a well bore. A separator is provided to separate sand from well fluids before the well fluids enter an electrical submersible pump (ESP). A bypass tube is connected from a flow conduit above the pump to a location below the ESP where the sand is collected. The ESP is turned off and the fluid levels within the flow conduit are allowed to equalize. The flow conduit is then pressurized at the surface to cause a downward flow of well fluid in the flow conduit below an equilibrium point for the well fluid. After lowering the level of fluid within the flow conduit, the pressure within the flow conduit is then relieved, which causes the well fluid to flow upwards through the bypass tube to the flow conduit. As a result, sand is drawn up the bypass tube into the flow conduit above the pump.

Abstract: A method of separating oil, water and sand in a production fluid. The production fluid is fed through a downhole liquid/liquid hydrocyclone (9). An oil enriched stream from the hydrocyclone (9) is pumped to the surface, while an oil depleted stream is fed to a downhole solid/liquid hydrocyclone (12). Here, the bulk of the solids is separated from the water, so that water which is substantially free of solids can be transported to a downhole disposal site (14).

Abstract: A separation system for protecting a pump disposed in a well. The separation system separates sand from the well fluid prior to pumping of the well fluid. The separated sand, or other particulates is routed past the pump used in producing the desired well fluid. The sand is then reinjected into the produced fluid stream at a location downstream of the pump.